Electrocatalysis

Electrocatalysis

Society is transitioning into a sustainable economy due to the increased energy demand. This forces us to look at alternative energy sources. By storing energy in molecules, we can switch from fossil fuels to green fuels. An efficient way of storing energy is by using electrocatalysis.

A particular application of electrocatalysis is in fuel cells where water is split into hydrogen and oxygen gas. The hydrogen can be used as alternative fuel when batteries are not practical, for instance in heavy transport.

Nanostructured materials in electrocatalysis

Production of chemical fuels with electricity is facilitated by electrocatalysis. By using precious metals, the reaction can take place at lower temperatures and pressures. Using nanoparticles these precious metals can be used more efficiently, reducing the cost and increasing the overall efficiency of these processes.

Smith Solar Lab is developing new catalysts for solar energy storage and conversion

VSPARTICLE & electrocatalysis

VSPARTICLE helps catalysis researchers to prepare their electrodes in a reproducible and controllable manner. Researchers are able to change material, particle size distribution and coverage independently. They are then able to observe and characterize their properties and work towards designing new catalysts.

VSPARTICLE & Wilson Smith

Smith Lab works on electrochemistry and electrocatalysis to allow the ability to convert abundant raw materials such as water and CO2, into highly valuable chemicals and fuels. The group researchers the electrocatalytic water oxidation reaction, and CO2 reduction reaction by exploring new techniques to characterize this process in-situ.

Material insights

nanoparticle properties

Contract Research

Exploration and Validation

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In the last decade, the development of Electron Microscopy (EM) analysis tools has advanced significantly, with the addition of in-situ characterization capabilities. Especially for catalysis, material science and electronics research, this offers new insights into “black box” processes on the nanoscale. The EM analysis enables researchers to study material behaviour in real-time, under real-world conditions. Institutes all over the world are experimenting with the newest in-situ systems for Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Energy-Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDXS) and Electron Energy Loss Spectroscopy (EELS).

VSPARTICLE is on a mission to speed up research in new nanomaterials by automating the production of advanced nanomaterials. The company introduced the VSP-G1 with the philosophy that making nanomaterials for research should be quick and easy. With the option for a four-month trial period the technology will be accessible for any researcher.